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1. Start of World War One
The First World War was the deadliest war for Canada, killing over 60,000 Canadian soldiers. It involved fighting between the major world powers at the time: France, Britain, Russia, Canada, The US, against Germany, Austro-Hungary, and Italy. The war was started over the assassination of Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand, and escalated into a global conflict involving most of Europe. The first World World war left Canadian returning veterans out of jobs. -
2. Canadian National Railways
The Canadian National Railway was the longest railway line in North America, with over 50,000 km of track. This allowed Canada to truly become connected as a nation, and allowed for trade across the country. Canadian traders and buinesses could now broaden their horizons with the possibility of crossing the country in days instead of months. -
3. Black Tuesday
"Black Tuesday" is the day on which the U.S. stock market crashed, marking the beginning of The Great Depression. It involved many shareholders selling their stocks, dropping the value of the entire market and causing a wave of poverty through the world. For example, shareholders in Canada's imperial oil alone lost more than $500 million. The events and effects of the Great Depression would go on to shape the rest of the 20th century. -
4. Uranium Discovered in the Northwest Territories
Canadian Uranium was first discovered in the Northwest Territories by prospector Gilbert Labine. The Uranium was then transported to a plant in Ontario that would extract the Radium. The first discovery of Uranium sets the stage for the use of nuclear energy across Canada.
To learn more about Canadian mining, go here:
https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mining-materials/facts/minerals-economy/20529 -
5. End of the Great Depression
The Great Depression ends in Canada. Jobs and prosperity return to Canadian life, allowing Canada to progress further economically.
To learn more about the Great Depression in Canada, go here: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/great-depression
https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/search.jsp?Ntt=Pierre+Berton -
6. Canada Enters World War II
Canada joins the Allies in World War II. The increased production and government occupational opportunities greatly helped Canada to get out of the Great Depression. -
7. End of World War II
The end of World War II brings a high demand for workers in Canada. This high demand for workers caused many more immigrants to be let in in order to fill the gap. It could be said that this demand set the stage for the more inclusive immigration laws of the future. -
8. First Oil Transported from Alberta to Ontario
The first shipment of oil from Alberta to Ontario marks the beginning of an age of oil for Canada. The oil was transported by train from the desert in Alberta to Ontario. The energy sector of Canada would later become a crucial component of the Canadian economy.
To learn more about oil in Canada, go here:
https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/facts/energy-economy/20062 -
9. Vietnam War Starts
The Vietnam War caused many Vietnamese people to immigrate to Canada. The Vietnam war did not directly involve Canada, however the government of -
10. Immigration to Canada Peaks
Immigration to Canada was at its highest in the 20th century in 1957, with around 250,000 immigrants coming into the country.
Learn more about Immigration in Canada here:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2639/99b35215839a9445829905f0322657a84ed3.pdf -
11. Drilling in the Arctic
The first oil drilling rig was established on Melville Island, Nunavut. This first drilling opportunity would set the stage for more to come.
To learn more about oil in Canada, go here:
https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/facts/energy-economy/20062 -
12. Fisheries Given Areas of the Canadian Coast
On the Atlantic coast of Canada, fishing was the biggest business at the time. When the Canadian government established a 22.km area of coastline that was exclusive for fisheries, it was a welcome change for the fishermen in these provinces. -
13. Canada-US Automotive Agreement
PM Lester B. Pearson and Pres. Lyndon Johnson sign the Canada-US Automotive Agreement. The agreement was a conditional free trade agreement focused around the market of Cars, Trucks, Buses, and all the parts associated with the automobiles. -
14. Points Immigration System Introduced
Canada implements a points system for its immigrants, ending the more racist policies of the past. The Canadian government implemented this change of policy because of the mass amounts of workers coming to the country, the most qualified had to be selectively admitted. The immigration points system operates around English/French skills, Education, Experience, Age, Arranged Employment, Adaptability. This changed the accepted immigrants to Canada from being 85% European to only 15% European. -
15. Pickering Power Plant Opens
The Pickering Nuclear Power Plant is the largest single electricity producer in the world. This clearly contribute's to Canada's energy producing economy in a massive way.
To learn more about Nuclear energy production and the Canadian economy, go here: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/uranium-nuclear/7693 -
16. Saskatchewan Takes Over Potash Industry
Most of the world's Potash reserves are in Canada, most of which are in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan mining companies take charge and capitalize on this wealth beneath the Earth. This event is symbolic of the mining industry in Canada, as it reflects the many similar situations with other minerals in Canada.
To learn more about Canadian mining go here:
https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mining-materials/facts/minerals-economy/20529 -
17. 1990 Immigration Spike
Canada sees another boost in immigration in the 1990s. At this time, immigration accounted for 48% of Canada's population growth.
Learn more about immigration in Canada here:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2639/99b35215839a9445829905f0322657a84ed3.pdf -
18. Cod Moratorium
Cod populations in the ocean around Newfoundland were dwindling fast as a result of decades of over fishing. This lead to the Canadian government putting a moratorium in effect over the fishing of cod in the region. While this choice did save the fish, upwards of 30,000 people lost their jobs as a result, and many towns across Newfoundland were economically defeated.
To learn more about Cod fishing in Canada, go here: https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/economy/moratorium-impacts.php -
19. NAFTA is Signed
The North American Free Trade Agreement is signed by Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The NAFTA is an agreement designed to lower the tariffs between the three countries, so that trade could become less expensive between them.
To learn more about NAFTA, go here:
https://international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/nafta-alena/fta-ale/busin.aspx?lang=en -
20. Softwood Lumber Tariffs Put in Place
The USA introduces a 19.3% tariff on Canadian made softwood lumber. The Canadian government was not happy with this decision, and swore to go against the decision.
To learn more about the lumber industry in Canada, go here:
http://publications.gc.ca/Collection/Statcan/31F0027M/31F0027MIE2002001.pdf -
21. Immigration Reaches 80% of Canada's Population Growth
Immigration makes up for 80% of Canada's population growth in 2017. This is symbolic of how important immigration is to Canada's economy and culture.
Learn more about immigration in Canada here:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2639/99b35215839a9445829905f0322657a84ed3.pdf -
22. USMCA Signed by Canada, Mexico, USA
The USMCA replaces NAFTA after Pres. Donald J. Trump requested changes be made. The changes suggested were in direct contrast to the original methods of NAFTA.
To learn more about the USMCA, go here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/usmca-nafta-what-we-know-1.4845103
